Problematic Summer Romance Summary: Love, Secrets, and Sun-Soaked Drama

Introduction: When Forbidden Love Meets Italian Sunsets

In “Problematic Summer Romance,” Ali Hazelwood returns with another heartfelt, witty, and deeply relatable tale that tackles love in all its messy glory. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Sicily, the story follows Maya Killgore, a 23-year-old grad student, as she navigates emotional landmines, family drama, and an undeniably complicated crush. Her forbidden attraction to Conor Harkness—her older brother’s best friend and biotech mogul—turns what should be a simple wedding trip into a full-blown emotional rollercoaster.

This Problematic Summer Romance Summary reveals how Hazelwood masterfully explores age-gap relationships, personal growth, and the tension between heart and logic. Buckle up for a witty, slow-burn journey brimming with angst, humor, and self-discovery.

Quick Summary

• Forbidden romance set in sunny Taormina, Italy
• Age-gap & brother’s best friend tropes
• Maya, a confused grad student, falls for Conor, a biotech mogul
• Destination wedding chaos sparks revelations
• Ali Hazelwood brings her signature emotional depth and humor

Problematic Summer Romance Synopsis

What is wrong meets what feels right in this romance set in Italy by the New York Times bestselling author of Deep End.

Maya Killgore is twenty-three and still in the process of figuring out her life.

Conor Harkness is thirty-eight, and Maya cannot stop thinking about him.

It’s such a cliché, it almost makes her heart implode: older man and younger woman; successful biotech guy and struggling grad student; brother’s best friend and the girl he never even knew existed. As Conor loves to remind her, the power dynamic is too imbalanced. Any relationship between them would be problematic in too many ways to count, and Maya should just get over him. After all, he has made it clear that he wants her gone from his life.

But not everything is as it seems—and clichés sometimes become plot twists.

When Maya’s brother decides to get married in Taormina, she and Conor end up stuck together in a romantic Sicilian villa for over a week. There, on the beautiful Ionian coast, between ancient ruins, delicious foods, and natural caves, Maya realizes that Conor might be hiding something from her. And as the destination wedding begins to erupt out of control, she decides that a summer fling might be just what she needs—even if it’s a problematic one.

Problematic Summer Romance Summary: What Is “Problematic Summer Romance” About?

Ali Hazelwood crafts a deliciously tense and heartfelt story that examines love under the most inconvenient circumstances. Maya is at a crossroads in life—her career stalled and her heart set on someone she shouldn’t want. Conor is successful, much older, and emotionally unavailable (or so it seems). When fate traps them in a romantic Sicilian villa for a wedding, sparks fly. But can love survive power imbalances, age gaps, and years of hidden feelings?

Why Is the Relationship in “Problematic Summer Romance” Considered “Problematic”?

The tension stems from:

• A significant age difference (15 years)
• Power imbalance: successful biotech exec vs. grad student
• Family entanglement: he’s her brother’s best friend
• His past rejection and emotional barriers
• Societal expectations and Maya’s struggle with self-worth

Despite these hurdles, their connection is electric, making readers root for a love that shouldn’t work but just might.

What Are the Main Themes in “Problematic Summer Romance”?

• Forbidden Love: Navigating emotions despite boundaries
• Self-Discovery: Maya comes into her own
• Secrets & Miscommunication: Layers peel back in Sicily
• Family Dynamics: The wedding reveals more than vows
• Second Chances: Conor must face his past and true desires

These themes make the story feel grounded, even as it unfolds in an idyllic location.

Who Are the Main Characters?

Maya Killgore

• 23 years old
• Grad student, emotionally open yet self-doubting
• Deeply drawn to Conor but unsure of her place in his world

Conor Harkness

• 38 years old
• Successful, guarded, and morally conflicted
• Struggles with his attraction to Maya and the implications

Maya’s Brother

• The reason Maya and Conor are reunited
• Adds to the emotional stakes

What Makes This a Perfect Summer Read?

• Italian Setting: Sun-drenched villas, ancient ruins, coastal vistas
• Summer Wedding Mayhem: Perfect backdrop for chaos & connection
• Slow Burn Romance: Tension builds beautifully
• Banter & Chemistry: Hazelwood’s hallmark dialogue shines

What Questions Does the Book Answer?

1. Can love cross generational and emotional gaps?
2. How do power dynamics affect romantic relationships?
3. Is it ever too late for a second chance?
4. What happens when you fall for someone you “shouldn’t”?
5. How do unresolved feelings complicate family events?

10 Powerful Quotes from “Problematic Summer Romance”

1. “Some hearts break quietly, and some break in the Sicilian sun.”
2. “He was the equation I couldn’t solve, no matter how many times I tried.”
3. “Love isn’t logical, Maya. If it were, I’d have forgotten you years ago.”
4. “Italy has a way of making you believe in impossible things.”
5. “We were a cliche wrapped in a contradiction—and yet, it felt right.”
6. “He didn’t just occupy my thoughts. He redefined them.”
7. “Every good romance has a little bit of wrong in it.”
8. “I wasn’t supposed to feel this alive, not with him.”
9. “Sometimes, the best love stories are the ones we’re not supposed to tell.”
10. “He tasted like trouble and truth—and I wanted more.”

Author Spotlight: Ali Hazelwood

Ali Hazelwood is a neuroscientist turned bestselling romance novelist. With a PhD in neuroscience and a passion for character-driven stories, Hazelwood bridges intellect and emotion like no other. Her experience living across Europe and the U.S. lends rich, international flavor to her books. Known for crafting compelling female protagonists and sizzling academic or professional settings, Hazelwood continues to dominate contemporary romance with titles like The Love Hypothesis and Love, Theoretically. Her unique mix of geeky charm, emotional intelligence, and undeniable wit makes her a fan favorite among romance readers.

Conclusion: Should You Read “Problematic Summer Romance”?

Absolutely. If you love smart, emotional romances with imperfect characters, forbidden love, and dreamy settings, this book is for you. Ali Hazelwood delivers another hit full of humor, longing, and just the right amount of chaos.

Start your summer with the swoon-worthy story you didn’t know you needed. Dive into this Problematic Summer Romance Summary and experience love at its most complicated.

Whether you’re a long-time Hazelwood fan or new to her books, this Problematic Summer Romance Summary is your perfect starting point. Feel the heat, catch the feels, and don’t miss the most talked-about summer love story of the year!